Four propellers cut through the air – interminable and unending as the aircraft chased the setting sun.

Birds flew close to the white beast as it whistled above the cliff. It had done so countless times. Lights blinked and cameras focused, mapping and fixing its target: the endless dusk, high above the world.

The light bulb buzzed and spat. Water was dripping down the chord and swirling in a fine spray from the tiny barred window.

Keith sat huddled on a freezing metal bed, eyes locked into the gloom. His throat hummed as he breathed, rocking gently on his lice-ridden mattress.

He wasn’t alone. Keith walked hand in hand with Andrew over the burning pale sands of the beach. Their feet brushed through the dunes and grasses, their laughter rolled into the sky. Hearts raced as lips blessed each other.

Keith was smiling in the darkness.

In his dreams he was never alone.

(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Ludovic Gauthier via Unsplash.

Another title suggested by Aliki Chapple – mother, activist, actor and proud Grecian. You can follow her and her work over on Twitter @amaenad

I’m looking for new one word story titles all the time! Tell me yours in the comments section or tweet them to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.

The Commodore stood on the balcony, his arms spread wide to the crowd below.

“This, my friends, is the start of a new country! A new hope! A new dawn for you – free from the corruption of the old ways!”

Jubilant cheers echoed from building to building. Horns blared from every street as the Commodore cupped his hands together and shook them in triumph.

Behind him a man in a black suit was inspecting a model of an oil field, lifting a letter from beside it and lighting the corner with a match.

“Thank you, Commodore. That will do nicely.”

(c) Tim Austin 2016.

This story is dedicated to the memory and family of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen in the UK, who was shot and killed earlier today. Jo was a fearless fighter for justice, peace and the good of her constituents. She was a wonderful example to us all. My thoughts are with her family.